The glory of Florida landscapes is back again in the work of the Florida Highwaymen--and the teacher who inspired them, A.E. Backus (Shown below). You can see a selection of their work, along with a great selection of A.E. Backs --at Florida Atlantic University's Ritter Gallery starting September 16. The Florida Highwaymen were African American artists who avoided working in the fields of South Florida in the 1960s by selling their landscape art to tourists, hotels, and restaurants. The market for art was booming due to the influx of people into the state after WWII. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of academic lectures--plus an artists' panel--that will discuss both the artwork these artists, the influence of A.E. BAckus, and the conditions of Jim Crow Florida at the time. To find out more, read my article in the September PalmBeachArts Paper.palmbeachartspaper.com/fau-exhibit-to-feature-art-of-the-florida-highwaymen-their-teacher/

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Dear Culture Lover: Art and music nourish our souls and imagination. So it is fortunate for those living on the Gold Coast of Florida that we have so much music and art around us--all year long.

But sometimes the problem is just finding out where it is. Where can you find "the best" of these genres? If that's what you are thinking, you've come to the right place. I cover local and global art, classical music, and traditional jazz. Come here to read my reviews and recommendations.

Sincerely,AprilJune 4, 2019

NOTE: April has a talent for life drawing and sketching; she is the daughter of two professional artists, and has been writing about art since she reviewed modern Chinese art when living in Taiwan.